Executive chef Michele Mazza talks Il Mulino’s Miami location and his love for all things aquatic.
What was your experience with Il Mulino’s Miami launch?
I loved it. We found a nice group, and the same crew is over there for 10 years so far. Every day is beautiful there. Especially the hotel, right by the water. I spend a lot of time in Miami.
How would you describe Miami as a culinary destination?
Every year is better and better. I see a lot of people traveling, especially in Acqualina. They travel in Italy, they travel all over the country, the world. They know about food. We’ve got to make sure the quality of the food is 100 percent perfect.
Which of Il Mulino’s dishes is most popular with guests?
We have 16 locations around the world and in the States, and we do this ravioli. It’s porcini, black truffle, Champagne sauce and cream sauce. Very, very good.
What’s your favorite meal of the day? And being a chef, how do you make it special?
I never go out for dinner. I love to spend time and cook just for me and my wife. I try to go to some kind of market, and whatever I find that day, fish or vegetables, I go home and I cook. In the summer I go fishing, and whatever I catch, I cook. This is what I do on my day off.
When you’re not in the kitchen, what are some of your other passions?
I love scuba diving. I got my certification in St. Thomas many years ago. The most exciting place I’ve been is the Black Sea, and recently I went diving in Cuba. It was an experience. One of the best dives.